Concrete block plant

ABSTRACT

A transportation system having a first carrier for carrying a load. The first carrier runs on tracks at a plurality of stations. A second carrier carries the first carrier, on other tracks, between the stations. Cable means supply power from the second carrier to the first carrier when it is on or off the second carrier. The first carrier can have a vertically movable platform for lifting and lowering the load. The second carrier has means for positioning and aligning it with the first carrier tracks at each station. The system is readily adaptable for part or full automatic operation.

United States Patent 1191 'Gagnon et al. Dec. 3, 1974 CONCRETE BLOCKPLANT 3,732,992 5/1973 Busam 104/48 [76] Inventors: Pierre Gagnon, 5637Wilderton Ave; Pierre LaForest, 1945 Primary ExamznerM. Henson Wood, Jr.Bruxelles St., both of Montreal, Amman! EmmmerfD' Keen Quebec, Canada[22] Filed: Aug. 27, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A transportation system having afirst carrier for car- [211 App!" 390608 rying a load. The first carrierruns on tracks at a plurality of stations. A second carrier carries thefirst car- 52 us u 104 214/16 1 DB, 191/12 R rier, on other tracks,between the stations. Cable [51] Int. Cl. B65g 35/00 means supply P fromthe second Carrier to the [58] Field of Search 104/48, 88, 127; firstCarrier when it is Oh or Off the Second when The 214/ 1 191/12 R, 122 R2 2 A 124 first carrier can have a vertically movable platform forlifting and lowering the load. The second carrier has 5 References Citedmeans for positioning and aligning it with the first car- UNITED STATESPATENTS rier tracks at each station. The system is readily adaptable forpart'or full automatic operation. 1,058,635 4/1913 Sess1on l9l/l2.2 Al.879,7l3 9/1932 Scott 2l4/l6.l DB

7 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures PATENTEL 55E 74 SHEEI 30F 8 PATENTEQ 3|974I SHEET 5 [IF 8 PATENTEL 55C 3!!!" 3.851.593 sum sor a FIG 7a PAIENTE-U3,851,581,

SHEET 8 BF 8 CONCRETE BLOCK PLANT This invention is directed towards atransportation system.

The invention is particularly directed towards a transportation systemwhich can be readily adapted for semi-automatic oreven fully automaticoperation.

The transportation system of the present invention, while not limitedthereto, is particulary adapted for use in a concrete blockmanufacturing plant. In this type of plant, the blocks are transportedto and from kilns for curing. Normally, several operators may berequired to carry out the tedious job of loading and unloading the kilnswith racks stacked with blocks.

The present invention provides a system whereby the blocks can betransported to and from the kilns with equipment that can be readilyadapted to semiautomatic or fully automatic operation, thus reducing oreven eliminating the operators normally employed. Also, thedisadvantages of having to locate a source of power within the kilns areeliminated.

In the broadest sense, the invention is directed towards atransportation system having a first carrier for carrying a load and asecond carrier for carrying the first carrier. The second carrier ismoved between two or more positions. Means are provided for moving thefirst carrier on or off the second carrier at each position. Cable meanssupply power to the first carrier from the second carrier when the firstCarrier is on or off the second carrier.

Preferably, both the carriers run on tracks with the first carriertracks extending perpendicular to the second carrier tracks. The secondcarrier also has tracks on which the first carrier rides.

The second carrier can be looked in any of the positions with the trackson it aligned with the first-carrier tracks at that position.

If desired, means can be provided for adjusting the ends of the firstcarrier tracks adjacent the second carrier tracks to provide properalignment.

The first carrier preferably has a platform which can be movedvertically.

Means are provided for maintaining the cable in a taut condition as thefirst carrier moves on its tracks, away or towards the second carrier.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed towards a device movinga motor for driving it, the device movable by the motor to or away froma fixed position. A cable is connected to the motor from the fixedposition. Means maintain the cable taut as the device moves to or fromthe fixed position.

The invention will now be described in detail having reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a layout of a plant for making concrete blocks employing thetransport system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 showingdetails of the tracks employed in the transport system in the plant;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 33 in FIG. 1 showing adetail of the kiln tracks in the plant;

FIG. 3a is a schematic view showing further details of the kiln tracks;

FIG. 4 illustrates schematically the carrier employed in the transportsystem;

FIG. 5 is a side view, in partial section, along line 55 in FIG. 6 ofthe main carrier;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the main carrier;

FIG. 6a illustrates further details of the main carrier;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6showing a detail of the carrier lock device;

FIG. 7a is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 7a-7a in FIG.7 showing further details of the carrier lock device;

FIG. 7b is a schematic cross-section taken along line 7b7b in FIG. 7ashowing how the lock device cooperates with the kiln track;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section taken along line 88 in FIG. 6 showing detailsof the drive wheels on the main carrier;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section taken along line 99 in FIG. 5 showing detailsof guide wheels on the main carrier;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the transfer carrier;

FIG. 11 is a cross-section of the transfer carrier taken along line 1ll1in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a cross-section of the transfer carrier taken along line l2l2in FIG. 11 showing details of the wheels;

FIG. 13 is a cross-section of the wheels of the transfer carrier takenalong line 13-l3 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is another cross-section of'the wheels of the transfer carriertaken along line 14-14 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a detail of the electric motor mounting on the transfercarrier; and

FIG. 16 is a detail of the drum stop.

The plant 1 for making concrete blocks, as shown in FIG..1, has a mixingstation 3 where material for making the blocks is mixed, and a mouldingstation 5 where the blocks are automatically transferred onto racks 7which are on a loading track 9. The racks 7 are then picked up one at atime and moved from the loading track 9 by a first or transfer carrier11 onto a second or transport carrier 13 which travels on atransfertrack 15. The transfer track 15 is perpendicular to loading track 9. Thecarrier 13 transports carrier-11, with the rack 7, to a drying or curingarea 17.

In the curing area 17, there are a plurality of curing ovens or kilns19. Each kiln has a track 21 running into it. The tracks 21 also extendsubstantially perpendicular to the transfer track 15. Transport carrier13 stops at one of the kilns l9 and transfer carrier 11 moves off themain transport carrier 13 onto the tracks 21 to deposit the rack 7 it iscarrying in the kiln. After the blocks on the rack 7 placed in the kilnhave been cured,

they are then moved back out along the kiln tracks, by

transfer carrier 11 onto transport carrier 13 and back along thetransfer track 15 to an unloading track 23. Transfer carrier 11 movesthe rack 7 onto unloading track 23. From the unloading track 23, theblocks are moved to a cubing machine 25 where they are placed or stackedon pallets ready for shipment from the plant. It is noted that theloading track 9, kiln tracks 21, and unloading track 23 are allsubstantially perpendicular to the transfer track 15 and also on thesame side of it.

The main transport carrier 13, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, has a platform29. The platform 29 has a track 31 on its upper surface for receivingthe transfer carrier 11. The track 31 has the same gauge as the kilntracks 21 and the loading and unloading tracks 9, 23. The track 31extends perpendicular to the transfer track 15. The platform 29 includesfour rack supports 32 on its upper surface, two on each side of track31.

The platform 29 is supported by four wheel sets 33. Each wheel set 33comprises a pair of spaced-apart side plates 35, 37, as shown in FIG. 8,attached to the bottom of the platform. Rotatably mounted between eachpart of side plates 35, 37 are a pair of wheels 39, 41, positioned onebehind the other. The wheels are separated by a spacer block 43 locatedbetween the side plates 35, 37. The wheels 39, 41 run on the rails oftransfer track 11. One wheel 41 of each pair in each wheel set has ahydraulic motor 45 connected to it to drive the wheel 41. All wheels 41thus can drive the carrier 13 along track 15.

The hydraulic motors 45 are operated through a pump 47. The hydraulicpump 47, and the motor 49 for operating the pump, are located beneath acatwalk 51 located at the rear of platform 29. An electrical controlpanel 53 is mounted at the rear of catwalk 51 by a frame 55. Electricitycan be supplied to the panel 53 by any suitable known means such as, forexample, a third rail" connection. Electrical power from panel 53operates motor 49 and also the transfer carrier 11 as will be described.

The carrier 13 also has a pair of grooved wheels 57 beneath the catwalk51 for guiding the carrier 13, as shown in FIG. 9.

The transport carrier 13 includes means 61 along the side of theplatform 29 which is adjacent the other tracks 21, 9 or 23 forpositioning and locking the carrier 13 with its track 31 aligned with aselected kiln track 21 or the loading and unloading tracks 9, 23. Thepositioning and locking means 61, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 7, 7a,and 7b, includes a pair of blocks 63 which are each fixedly attached toa horizontal plate 65 by suitable means. Each plate 65 is in turnpivotally mounted from the platform 29 by a pivot pin 67. A hydraulicactuator 69 is mounted pivotedly at each end by suitable pins 71 to andbetween the plates 65. The actuator, at each end, is mounted to plate 65intermediate the plate mounting pin 67 and block 63.

When the hydraulic actuator 69 is retracted, the blocks 63 arepositioned in and under a cover 72 facing each other. When the hydraulicactuator 69 is operated through connection pump 47 by suitable means,its connection to the plates 65 is such that the blocks 63 are pivotedout and away from each other to locate in notches 73 provided on theinside of the ends 74 of the rails 75 of the kiln, loading or unloadingtracks, adjacent to the transfer track 15.

The rails 75 are preferably free to move laterally at their ends 74adjacent the transfer track. A bar 77, as shown in F 1G. 30 extendsbetween the rails 75 adjacne their free ends. The bar has bolts 79 oneither side of each rail 75, so as to adjust the rails in the properspaced-apart position. Screws 81, adjustable in height, can be mountedon the foundation 82 beneath the rails, adjacent their free ends. Thesescrews 81 can be adjusted to change the height of the rails 75, so as tolocate them at the height as the platform track 31. The adjustablescrews 81, together with the unfixed ends 74 of the rails 75, permitthem to be adjusted relative to the carrier 13.

Mounted on the frame 91 is a platform in which i the racks 7 sit. Meansare provided by which the platform can be raised or lowered with respectto the frame 91. These means include inner and outer side plates 107,109 extending down from each side of the platform. The side plates 107,109 on each side enclose the upper part of the pair of dollies on thatside. Guide wheels 111, 113 are mounted between the side plates 107, 109for each dolly. The guide wheels bear on the ends of the dolly. Moreparticularly, the guide wheels 111, 113 bear on the vertical end edges115, 117 respectively of the wheel plates 99, 101 to guide theplatform'during its vertical movement relative to frame 91.

Each dolly has a freely rotatable cam wheel 119 mounted between thewheel plates 99, 101 and the wheels 95, 97. A cam member 121, carriedbetween side plates 107, 109, bears on each cam wheel.

Preferably, the front cams 121a, 121b are joined by a front axle 123 andthe rear cams 1210, 121d are joined by a rear axle 125. The front axle123 has a crank arm 127 fixed to it. The rear axle also has a crank arm129 fixed to it. A connecting rod 131 is pivotably connected between thecrank arms. A hydraulic actuator 133 is pivotably connected at one endto one of the inside side plates 107.Th e other end of the actuator 133is connected to the front crank 127.

When the actuator 133 is operated, all the cam members 121 are rotatedand, bearing against fixed, rotatable cam wheels 119, cause verticalmovement of the platform 105 relative to the frame 91. The platform 105is guided in its movement by guide wheels 111, 113. To limit verticalmovement, stops 135 are provided on the wheel plates 99, 101 in the pathof the guide wheels.

The transfer carrier 13 is driven by four hydraulic motors 137, oneattached to each wheel 95 in each dolly 93. The carrier 13 has a pumpunit 139 for supplying hydraulic fluid, through suitable controls, tothe hydraulic motors 137, and also the actuator 133.

The pump unit 139 is operated by an electric motor 141. The motor 141 ismounted within a drum 143 which is rotatably mounted between supports145, 147 on the frame 91. The drum 143 is mounted transverse to thelength of the carrier 13. The drum 143 has end walls 149, 151 with themotor 141 bolted to one end wall 149. The motor 141 operates pump unit139 through a belt and pulley system 153. Power is provided to the motor141 by an electric cable 155. One end 157 of the cable passes through ahole 159 in the cylindrical wall 161 of the drum and connects to themotor 141. The cable 155 is wound about cylindrical wall 161 of the drumand then travels from beneath the drum to a support 163 on main carrier15. The cable 155 is attached to support 163 with the aid of a spring165. From support 163, the cable connects with the control panel 55.

The end wall 151 of the drum has conductor rings 167, 169 on its outersurface. An extension 171 of the cable 155 is connected to the rings.Brushes 173, 175,

fixed on the frame 91, connect with rings 167, 169 to provide power tosensing means on the carrier 11.

A brake pin 181 is mounted on frame 91. The pin 181 can be biasedtowards end wall 149 of the drum to stop rotation of the drum 143 whendesired.

The system operates in the following manner. The transfer carrier 11picks up a rack 7 on the loading track 9. The carrier 11 moves off themain carrier 13 which has been positioned to have its rails 31 alignedwith loading tracks 9. The main carrier is locked to tracks 9 by thepositioning means 61. After the positioning means 61 has been actuatedto lock the carrier 15, suitable control means actuate motor 141 tooperate pump unit 139 and to operate wheel motors 137 in a forwarddirection. This drives carrier 1 1 off carrier 15 onto tracks 9. At thistime, platform 105 is in a lowered position.

The carrier moves forwardly along track 9 and under the first rack 7.Suitable sensor means stop the carrier under the rack in proper loadingposition. When the carrier stops, suitable means automatically operatethe actuator 133 to raise the platform 105 and thus the first rack. Alimit switch 205 on the platofrm, actuated by an actuator 207 on therear axle 125, can be used to control the vertical movement of theplatform in a manner well known. Stops 135 limit upward movement of theplatform. After the platform is raised, the carrier is started again tomove back along track 9 and onto the rails 31 on transfer carrier 13.The front of carrier 11 has a sensor bar 209 which, when ithits a switch211 on carrier 13, actuates switch 213 on carrier 11 to stop itsmovement. If desired, the platform 105 can now be lowered placing therack 7 on rack supports 32. Positioning means 61 are withdrawn due toactivation of switch 211. Carrier 13 is now moved along its track 15 byoperation of motors 45. Near a position opposite one of the kiln tracks21, the carrier 13 is stopped by suitable sensing means, such as a lightsource 215 on carrier 13 shining on a reflective mirror (not shown)suitably mounted to reflect the light to a photocell 217 carried oncarrier 13 which then stops the carrier. The positioning means 61 arethen actuated to swing out the blocks 63 into the notches 73 in rails 75of selected track 21, and thus align carrier track 31 with rails 75.Rails 75 .can be moved laterally to a smallextent by blocks 63, ifnecessary, to achieve alignment.

When blocks 63 are positioned, the platform 105, if previously lowered,is again raised, and the carrier 11 is then moved forwardly off carrier13 onto track 21. Carrier 11 moves along track 21 to the end of the kiln19 or up to the last rack placed in the kiln. The carrier 11 is thenstopped by suitable sensors and platform 105 is lowered to place therack in' the kiln.

As the carrier 11 moves into the kiln, electrical supply cable 155 isunwound from drum 143, drum 143 rotating counter-clockwise. The cable155 is maintained taut, however, since a clockwise reactive torque isexerted by the motor 141 operating within the drum which tends to try torotate the drum counterclockwise. The torque is sufficient to keep cable155 taut at all times.

The empty carrier 11 returns to carrier 13 which is then unlocked andmoved back to the loading track to pick up another rack. The racks areunloaded from the kiln after the blocks are cured in a similar manner.

While some sensing means have been described, it is obvious that anysuitable sensing and switching devices may be used to achieve partial orfull automatic operation. The invention is primarily directed to theconstruction which permits automatic operation and not the automaticoperational means per se.

If desired, the carrier 11 can be set up to run at two speeds: a slowspeed when approaching the end of its travel at either the main carrieror the kiln, loading or unloading tracks, and a high speed in between.This can be arranged by setting up the four hydraulic motors 137, sothat for high speed, the motors are connected in series in the hydrauliccircuit, and for slow speed, the motors are connected in parallel.

What we claim is:

1. A transportation system having a first carrier for carrying a load; asecond carrier for carrying the first carrier; means for moving thesecond carrier between two or more positions, means for moving the firstcarrier on or off the second carrier at each position; cable means forsupplying power from the second carrier to the first carrier when on oroff the second carrier, first track means at each position for receivingthe first carrier, second track means between the positions receivingthe second carrier, third track means on the second carrier forreceiving the first carrier, means on the second carrier for locking itat each position with the third track means on it aligned with the firsttrack means,

and wherein that portion of the first track means at each position,adjacent each position, is loose so it can be adjusted vertically andgauge-wise relatvive to the second track means to facilitate alignment.

2. A transportation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first andthird track means extend substantially perpendicular to the second trackmeans.

3. A transportation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lockingmeans on the second carrier comprise a pair of pivotal blocks movableinto notches on the said portion of the first track means at eachposition. i

4. A transportation system having a first carrier for carrying a load; asecond carrier for carrying the first carrier; means for moving thesecond carrier between two or more positions, means for moving the firstcarrier on or off the second carrier at each position; cable means forsupplying power from the second carrier to the first carrier when on oroff the second carrier, a frame on the first carrier, a platform mountedon the frame, and means for moving the platform vertically relative tothe frame.

5. A transportation system as claimed in claim 4, including co-operatingmeans on the frame and platform for guiding the platform during itsvertical movement.

6. A transportation system as claimed in claim 4, including an electricmotor on the first carrier, the cable means extending between the motoron the first carrier and the second carrier, and means for maintainingthe cable taut at all times.

7. A transportation system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said tautmaintaining means comprises a drum mounted in a freely rotatable manneron the platform with its axis of rotation transverse to the direction ofmovement of the first carrier, the cable wound about the drum, and motormounted within the drum with its axis parallel to the drum axis andproviding a reactive torque to the drum when running, counter to thecable unwinding direction.

1. A transportation system having a first carrier for carrying a load; asecond carrier for carrying the first carrier; means for moving thesecond carrier between two or more positions, means for moving the firstcarrier on or off the second carrier at each position; cable means forsupplying power from the second carrier to the first carrier when on oroff the second carrier, first track means at each position for receivingthe first carrier, second track means between the positions receivingthe second carrier, third track means on the second carrier forreceiving the first carrier, means on the second carrier for locking itat each position with the third track means on it aligned with the firsttrack means, and wherein that portion of the first track means at eachposition, adjacent each position, is loose so it can be adjustedvertically and gauge-wise relatvive to the second track means tofacilitate alignment.
 2. A transportation system as claimed in claim 1,wherein the first and third track means extend substantiallyperpendicular to the second track means.
 3. A transportation system asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the locking means on the second carriercomprise a pair of pivotal blocks movable into notches on the saidportion of the first track means at each position.
 4. A transportationsystem having a first carrier For carrying a load; a second carrier forcarrying the first carrier; means for moving the second carrier betweentwo or more positions, means for moving the first carrier on or off thesecond carrier at each position; cable means for supplying power fromthe second carrier to the first carrier when on or off the secondcarrier, a frame on the first carrier, a platform mounted on the frame,and means for moving the platform vertically relative to the frame.
 5. Atransportation system as claimed in claim 4, including co-operatingmeans on the frame and platform for guiding the platform during itsvertical movement.
 6. A transportation system as claimed in claim 4,including an electric motor on the first carrier, the cable meansextending between the motor on the first carrier and the second carrier,and means for maintaining the cable taut at all times.
 7. Atransportation system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said tautmaintaining means comprises a drum mounted in a freely rotatable manneron the platform with its axis of rotation transverse to the direction ofmovement of the first carrier, the cable wound about the drum, and motormounted within the drum with its axis parallel to the drum axis andproviding a reactive torque to the drum when running, counter to thecable unwinding direction.